town and Caribbean port, southern Jamaica, west of Kingston. Originally called Esquivel after its Spanish founder, it was once Spanish Town's second port, when the latter was capital of Jamaica, and was famous for shipbuilding. After a period of decline it is now important for shipping bauxite as well as sugarcane, tropical fruit, and coffee. There is a U.S. naval base, leased in 1940, nearby. Pop. (1991) urban area, 17,778.